David Warner pleads guilty to drink-driving, Sydney Thunder captaincy in doubt
David Warner (Source: Getty Images)
Published - 22 Jul 2026, 10:51 AM• Read time - 2 mins
Former Australia opener David Warner has pleaded guilty to drink-driving. Warner was charged with the offence after undergoing a breath test on April 5 in Maroubra, Sydney. He was found to be in an inebriated state with twice the amount of alcohol in his body than the legal limit.
The star cricketer was not required to appear before Waverley Local Court on Wednesday, but his lawyer, Bobby Hill, confirmed that he had pleaded guilty to a mid-range drink-driving offence committed on Easter Sunday.
"The parties are in discussion about the facts," Mr Hill was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
Warner was arrested when he returned home for a mid-tournament break from the Pakistan Super League 2026 (PSL 2026) for Easter. Meanwhile, his Sydney Thunder captaincy could well be in doubt after accepting the offence.
The Thunder, along with the Sydney Sixers and New South Wales Blues (NSW), are part of a state government campaign aimed at discouraging drink-driving.
Mr Hill said Warner had consumed three glasses of wine at a friend's apartment before choosing to drive himself rather than take a cab. He added that Warner's last drink had been just 11 minutes before he was pulled over by police.
Warner's sentence to take place on August 18
According to Hill, the batter was remorseful and would seek leniency, but expected to be treated no differently from any other citizen. Warner is due to be sentenced on August 18.
Following his arrest, NSW chief executive Lee Germon had said that the allegations were concerning as they take drink-driving cases seriously.
"The allegations are of course concerning, and we take them very seriously. At Cricket NSW, we are strong advocates for safe driving, not drink-driving,” said Germon.
Warner was handed a lifetime leadership ban for his role in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. However, the sanction was overturned in 2024, paving the way for his appointment as Sydney Thunder captain soon after.